Custom Tags - Start Now !!

Merging function and form

Introducing Custom Microsoft Tags, the next evolution of machine readable codes, where branding and design can be incorporated directly into the barcode itself. Create Custom Tags for your marketing materials, packaging, posters, business cards, whenever you want a unique design.

With traditional 2D barcodes, you have to accept the industrial look of the code on your materials. With Microsoft Custom Tags the code can be integrated into the look and form of the messaging itself.

All existing mobile Tag Readers are able to scan and decode these codes.

Illustration of custom Tag integration into existing product look and feel
(not actual product - for illustration purposes only)

Easy for Beginners, Flexible for Experienced Designers

There are two approaches to customize a Microsoft Tag depending on your design skills and available tools. To get started, you can create a new Tag or use an existing one from your account at http://tag.microsoft.com, save the Tag graphic file using the Custom Tag option, and then either use an application like Microsoft Powerpoint to quickly overlay the Tag on top of an existing image, or import the Tag into a graphics program to create an even more customized version.

• Quick and Easy approach

  Custom Tags can be created in seconds with minimal effort simply by using Microsoft Powerpoint, or other graphic program to overlay a Tag graphic file over existing artwork. Depending on the nature of the existing design color or black & white Tags can be used.
  

  



• Designed Flexibility

  You can incorporate the symbols into the overall look by manipulating the Tag in a graphic design application. Breathtaking machine readable codes can be created that provide design flexibility while preserving machine readability. By following the straightforward Custom Tag Creation Guidelines you'll be on your way to creating the most advanced and eye pleasing codes that exist.

  

Development tools for verification

Microsoft provides Custom Tag verification tools for Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 3rd Edition platforms so that you can ensure the custom Tags you create meet the quality bar for flawless consumer code scanning. See Custom Tag Creation Guidelines for more details.

Illustration of Tag verification process comparing a perfectly designed code versus one that requires further refinement

No sacrifice in error correction

Current attempts to customize existing black and white 2D barcodes necessitate overlaying small artwork over the actual data cells consuming precious error correction capability therefore producing less reliable codes. Custom Microsoft Tags preserve the original symbol integrity therefore code reading reliability is still maximally maintained.